Job Description

Job Description

Department:

Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Employee Type:

Job Summary:

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applications Specialist will play a key role in supporting the institution’s AI initiatives, with a focus on education, communication, and operational oversight. This individual will train and supervise students in the AI Lab, manage internal and external communications for DavisAI, and ensure the success of AI-driven projects.

Essential Functions and Key Responsibilities

To perform successfully in this position, an individual must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily as well as possess an appropriate level of education and experience that will enable them to employ the knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed in representative fashion. Colby College actively supports the Americans with Disabilities Act and will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.  This listing of essential duties is not all-inclusive, but representative; other duties may be assigned.

AI Lab Oversight and Student Training:

• Train and supervise students in the AI Lab, ensuring they develop skills in AI tools, applications, and research methods.

• Guide students in updating, training, and fine-tuning the DavisAI MuleBot application, ensuring it meets campus needs.

• Oversee projects that contribute to the Institute’s AI initiatives and provide mentorship for student-led research, including the Institute’s annual AI & Art Exhibition.

• Provide summer support for the Institute’s SureStart students.

Educational Outreach and Communication:

• Edit and distribute the DavisAI newsletter to inform the broader Colby community about AI initiatives, events, and advancements.

  View Orignal JOB on: italents.net

• Provide educational outreach through workshops, presentations, and written content about AI to internal and external audiences.

• Manage and grow DavisAI’s presence on social media platforms, ensuring consistent communication of achievements, resources, and opportunities.

Logistical Support for DavisAI’s Journal:

• Provide operational and logistical support for the DavisAI’s Journal of Writing With and About AI, including coordinating with contributors, managing deadlines, and ensuring quality standards.

Database Management and Application Oversight:

• Oversee the RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) database updates, ensuring its content is accurate, relevant, and well-organized.

• Train students on the processes for maintaining and improving the RAG database to support DavisAI MuleBot development.

Collaboration and Innovation:

• Work with applications specialists in the Academic Technology Services department to provide AI workshops and applications support for Colby students.

• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to identify opportunities for leveraging AI across campus.

• Stay informed on emerging AI trends and technologies to propose innovative ideas for DavisAI’s groth.

Position Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Education, Communications, or a related field (Master’s preferred).

• Experience with AI tools, natural language processing, and machine learning applications.

• Excellent communication and writing skills, with the ability to manage newsletters and social media accounts effectively.

• Proven ability to train and supervise students or staff in a technical or academic environment.

• Knowledge of database management and tools for AI development (e.g., Python, OpenAI, APIs, fine-tuning methods).

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in higher education or academic research.

• Familiarity with AI ethics and the educational potential of AI applications.

• Experience managing publications, journals, or academic projects.

• Proficiency with social media management tools and content creation.

Physical/Mental Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this position and/or may be encountered while performing essential functions.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, an employee must be able to maintain appropriate confidentiality with regard to employee data, documents, issues, etc., and respect privacy needs of employees and past employees with regard to the same.

• The ability to comply with highly inflexible deadlines is required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position; there will be multiple occurrences of sudden, urgent task completion required.

• There may be occurrences of employees, past employees, members of the general public, and others who express opinions, may exhibit strong emotions, which will require the employee to interact professionally, diplomatically, and appropriately in such situations.

• While performing the essential duties of this position, an employee would frequently be required to move around the office space as well as within hallways, meeting rooms, and other parts of the campus facilities. 

• There may be multiple/daily instances of prolonged personal computer use which would include keyboard and/or mouse usage as well as viewing a computer monitor.

• An employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds to perform essential position functions.

• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

• The overall work environment requires the mental ability to shift focus quickly due to interruptions; an employee must be able to mentally track multiple projects and tasks as well.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, there may be unexpected instances of somewhat loud sounds.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the “Apply Now” button on the Colby College website.  Please upload a cover letter and resume to y